Life-preserver.



Patented Feb. l9, l90l.

F. A. GROENKE.

LIFE PRESERVEB.

(Application filed Apr. 4, 1900.)

No. 668,l77.

(No Model.)

WITNESSES IN VE N 70/? ATTORNEYS THE Nonms PErERs (20.. PHMQLWHDwnsnmawx, n 1;

i d ress FREDERICK AUGUST GROENKE, OF MELROSE PARK, ILLINOIS.

LIFE PRESERVER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 668,177, dated February19, 1901.

Application filed April 4, 1900- Serial No. 11A3'7. (No model.)

. To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FREDERICK AUGUST GROENKE, a citizen of the UnitedStates, and a resident of Melrose Park, county of Cook, and State ofIllinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inLife-Preservers, of which the following is a specification, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part thereof, in whichsimilar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

This invention relates to an improved lifepreserver of the class adaptedto float persons unskilled in the art of swimming to prevent themdrowning; and the object of the invention is to provide a device of thischaracter which is adapted to be deflated and folded for storage withina small space and which can readily be inflated by a wearer after it isattached to the body, whereby a traveler can always keep an eflicientlife-preserver readily at hand.

The invention will be hereinafter fully described, and specifically setforth in the anneXed claim.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, Figure1 is a plan View of my improved life-preserver, showing the same ininflated condition; and Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional elevation taken online a: to of Fig. 1.

In the practice of my invention I employ an air chamber or compartment Aand a communicating approximately U shaped tubular air-channel A, whichleads into the said chamber A, at each end thereof, to form inconjunction with the compartment A a continuous air-compartment adaptedto encircle the body of a person.

Communicating with the airchannel A is an ordinary air-inlet valve B,which is normally closed by means of a screw-cap B,which cap is attachedto the life-preserver by means of a chain 1), which engages a loop a,formed integral with the tubular channel A, whereby the cap cannot belost during the operation of inflating the device.

As a means for inflating the device I employ an ordinary airpump C,which is secured within a grooved block b, formed integral with theair-channel A, and the pump is securely fastened within the groove ofthe said block by means of straps ta which are preferably vulcanized tothe block a to keep the pump permanently in place.

The pump 0 is supplied with a flexible tube 0 and a screw-nozzle c forengagement within the casing of the valve B to supply air to the device.

The material employed in the construction of the air-chamber A and itsintegrally-formed communicating channel Ais preferably rubher; but itisobvious that a combination of rubber and canvas or any suitableflexible material which is impervious to the action of water maybe-employed.

In use the device is placed around the body of a person beneath his-armswhile it is in a deflated and limp condition. The nozzle 0 is thenscrewed to the air-valve casing, whereupon the wearer can pump anyrequired quantity of air into the device to form an efficientlife-preserver.

I do not confine myself to the specific details of contour or mechanicalconstruction of the parts forming the device, as it is obvious thatunderthe scope of my invention I am entitled to slight structural variations.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

As a life-preserver the combination of an air-compartment,anapproximately U'shaped air-channel having its two ends leading thereto,and an air -inlet valve leading to said U- shaped channel, and anair-pump securely attached thereto, whereby the device can be inflatedor expanded by a wearer after it is attached to his body, substantiallyas shown and described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have signed myname, in presence of two witnesses, this th day of March, 1900.

FREDERICK AUGUST GROENKE.

Witnesses:

HERMAN A. FRIOK, Orr'o R. DOWEIDT.

